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HR 346

ENVIRONMENT/LITTERING: Creates a task force on illegal dumping

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Alonzo Knox

Creates a time-limited, multi-stakeholder task force to study illegal dumping and recommend concrete legislative actions to improve prevention and enforcement.

Read by title, returned to the calendar.
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Bill Summary · HR 346

Summary of HR 346 (2026 Regular Session, Louisiana)

Purpose

  • Establishes the Task Force on Illegal Dumping Prevention and Enforcement.
  • The task force is charged with studying the extent of illegal dumping in Louisiana and evaluating enforcement mechanisms, with the goal of informing future legislative proposals.

Key Provisions and Provisions Change

  • Creation of a formal task force to investigate illegal dumping and enforcement options.
  • The task force may propose recommendations and specific legislative proposals.
  • Composition: 15 members representing a mix of state agencies, local government groups, law enforcement, and community/advocacy organizations. Appointees come from:
    • Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) – one representative (chair)
    • Louisiana House of Representatives – one representative
    • Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) – one representative
    • Department of Wildlife and Fisheries – one representative
    • New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board – one representative
    • Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office – one representative
    • Louisiana State Police – one representative
    • Louisiana Sheriff’s Association – one representative
    • New Orleans Department of Sanitation – one representative
    • Louisiana Municipal Association – one representative
    • Healthy Gulf – one representative
    • A community-based environmental justice organization – one representative
    • The recycling or waste management industry – one representative
    • Keep Louisiana Beautiful – one representative
  • Sunset/termination: The task force will terminate after completing its work or by February 12, 2027, whichever comes first.

Timeline and Procedures

  • Appointment deadline: All appointing authorities must submit their appointees’ names to DEQ, DOTD, and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries by August 1, 2026.
  • Leadership: The DEQ appointee serves as chair.
  • Meetings: First meeting must occur by September 1, 2026.
  • Staffing: DEQ will provide staff for the task force.
  • Governance: Meetings subject to the House Rules of Order; minimum quorum is a majority; all actions require a majority vote.
  • Open meeting requirements: Meetings are subject to the Open Meetings Law; records are subject to public records laws.
  • Compensation: Members serve without compensation, though may receive per diem or expense reimbursements as permitted by their respective organizations.
  • Reporting: A written report detailing findings must be submitted to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works no later than 30 days before the 2027 Regular Session convenes. Any written recommendations must also be provided to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • State agencies (DEQ, DOTD, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries) and law enforcement entities (Louisiana State Police, Sheriff's Association, Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, etc.) will participate and contribute expertise.
  • Local governments and sanitation/development stakeholders (New Orleans Department of Sanitation, Orleans Parish government, Louisiana Municipal Association) will be involved.
  • Nonprofit and industry groups (Healthy Gulf, environmental justice groups, recycling/waste management industry, Keep Louisiana Beautiful) will provide perspectives.
  • Purpose-driven impacts include an informed basis for potential future legislation aimed at reducing illegal dumping, improving enforcement mechanisms, and targeting high-dump areas.

Overall Impact

  • HR 346 does not enact new laws directly but creates a time-limited, multi-stakeholder body to assess illegal dumping in Louisiana.
  • It aims to produce a detailed assessment and concrete legislative recommendations to improve prevention and enforcement efforts, with findings due before the 2027 legislative session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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